Tuesday, May 13, 2014

TSA Travel Tips - Travel Tips for Backpackers, Campers and Fishers

We are well into the Spring
travel period and many are getting ready for some outdoor getaways. If you’re
flying to your camping/hiking/fishing destination,
this post is for you!Here’s a list of common camping and fishing related items that you can and
can’t bring on a plane:

Backpacks – Be sure to contact your airline in advance if you’d like to
gate check your backpack or carry it on the plane.TSA does not regulate
the size of carry-on baggage.If checking your backpack, it’s a good
idea to ask your airline if they have a container to place your backpack in, or
if you will need to place it in a durable plastic bag to keep the straps from
getting caught in the conveyor belts.

Crampons and Pick Axes – Crampons are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage, and pick axes are only permitted in checked baggage.

Trekking & Hiking
Poles – These can only be packed in
checked baggage.

Animal Repellants - You can bring chemical repellants in your checked
luggage if the volume is less than four ounces and less than 2% active
ingredient of either CS or CN. Most bear repellants
exceed these limitations. We suggest that you buy these items once you arrive
at your destination and leave them behind when your trip is over.

Insect Repellents – They arepermitted in your carry-on bags and
checked baggage. The liquid limits apply when carrying these in your carry-on
bags.

Camp Stoves – These can go in either your carry-on or checked bag. There
can be no fuel fumes emitting from the stove. The same goes with propane
stoves. Propane tanks are prohibited from both checked and carry-on bags. Empty
propane or gas cylinders are allowed in checked or carry-on bags as long as our
officers can see inside.

Camping Fuel, Burning
Paste and Gel Fire Starter – These
are prohibited from both carry-on and checked baggage.

Flare Guns – These are allowed in your checked baggage, but they have to
be stored and declared just like a firearm. The flares are a no go.

Fishing Rods/Poles/Tackle - TSA allows fishing poles, but if
you’re taking them as a carry-on, you might want to give your airline a call
and see if the pole exceeds their carry-on limits. Tackle is ok as a carry-on,
but be sure that you don’t have any knives or large deep sea fishing hooks.
Also, tools can’t be larger than seven inches.

Liquids, Gels
& Aerosols: If you’re
checking a bag, make things simple by packing liquids in your checked luggage.
That way, you don’t have to worry about the liquids rules. If you’re
concerned about them leaking, do what I do and put them in a zip-top bag. However,
I know that doesn’t work for everyone if you’re only bringing a carry-on
bag. If you have to take liquids in your carry-on, please continue
reading… You can read here for more details: each passenger is
allowed to take as many 3.4 ounce or less sized containers that will fit
in one sealed clear quart-sized zip-top bag – and one bag per
person. Make sure you take the zip-top bag out of your carry-on prior to
sending it through the X-ray.

Here is some
information on frequently asked liquid, aerosol and gel items:

Powdered Toothpaste: This is fine in both checked and carry-on bags and does
not apply to the 3-1-1 rules.

Suntan & Sun Block Lotion:
Lotions – both pump and aerosol - fall under the procedures that I mentioned
above. Sun block sticks do not fall under this rule.

Beverages: Wine, liquor, beer, and all of your
favorite beverages are permitted in your checked baggage. You can
also bring beverages packaged in 3.4 oz. or less bottles in your carry-on
bags in the baggie.

Gel Inserts for shoes are now permitted.

Foods: Here is a list of items that should be placed in your
checked bags or shipped: creamy dips and spreads (cheeses, peanut butter,
dressings), jams, jellies, maple syrup, oils and vinegars, sauces and soups.

Lastly, if you have any
questions that aren’t covered here, please reach out to the TSA Contact Center.
The hours are Monday – Friday,
8 a.m. – 11 p.m., Eastern Time; weekends and
federal holidays, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Eastern
Time. The TCC can be reached at 866-289-9673. Passengers can also reach out to
the TSA Contact Center with questions about TSA procedures,
upcoming travel or to provide feedback or voice concerns.

I continue to wait for some justification for active duty military being included in pre-check, but not retired military or holders of current DoD or LE background investigations. military retirees have at least 20 years documented service to this Nation, pretty much proving their lack of risk. both DoD and LE background investigations should reveal any risk factors. active duty military do not, necessarily, have a background check or any significant length of service. neither citizenship nor a background investigation is required to enlist in the military, in fact there are likely illegal immigrants serving. if it is really about safety, then why are potentially unscreened non-citizens allowed through? sounds like it is just pandering to an admirable group to get PR, not adjusting the rules to ease screening on those who present a lower likelihood of threat.Let me be clear: pre-911 screening should be the norm. it is all that is required, now that cockpit doors have been reinforced and locked, and flight crews and passengers know that the rules have changed and passivity=death. however, if we are going to continue this massive waste of tax dollars on security theatre, at least have _some_ of the rules make sense.

You're wrong about trekking and hiking poles, Bob. Those of us who use them as mobility assistance devices are allowed to keep them and use them while traveling through security, the airport, boarding and deboarding from aircraft. I have done this numerous times without any difficulty (save for some of your "professional" TSOs getting frustrated that they occasionally get stuck in the x-ray machine) and I expect that I will be allowed to continue to carry them with me as the mobility assistance devices they are.

GSOLTSO said...Anon sez - "Why aren't flares allowed if packed properly in a locked, checked bag?"The flares themselves are highly flammable, similar to gasoline and other flammable fuels - almost all of which are prohiited from the planes. WestTSA Blog TeamMay 14, 2014 at 4:46 AM_____________________________________________Prohibited by FAA regs, correct West?

Better check with your airline IF you intend to bring a liquid gas stove, cause the TSA/Rob won't fix you being up the creek without a stove (or lantern.) IF an airline requires a gasoline leaf blower to be virgin and in original box (no refurbished or drained machines), they probably won't allow your stove

I am unable to uneartht the actual code or regulation that governs that (whether it is FAA or TSA directed) at this moment. I believe you are correct, but can cite nothing to support it at the moment. However, I can include this Link to the TSA prohibiting flares. I will do some research into the actual code hopefully this afternoon and I will post it if I find it.

Susan Richert sez - "A "fisher" is a mammal of the weasel family. (Anyone see a coincidence there?)

The correct term would be "fisherperson."

Trying to be cute is not becoming, Bob."

Actually, the oldest version of the term "fisher" is "an individual that fishes". While the term is not at the forefront of the common lexicon at this moment, it is a technically correct term for this post. It is also a gender neutral term, which makes it the perfect word for this case.

Wow, West is really scraping the barrel or he needs something to do or he is posting a tit-for-tat retort to my comment to him about Lisa Marie Jelinek. I put my post up about "fisher" on 5/13 and it took him until today, 5/19, to come up with a response.

Anonymous said...Why prohibit trekking poles and staffs from the cabin while permitting canes and crutches? Can you share the logic to this policy?

I think, Anonymous, it's because canes and crutches don't have pointy ends, like any trekker pole I've seen. Oh, the damage you could do with the pointy end of a trekker. Maybe someone could push it through your eye, into your brain. Would be sort of difficult to do that with a crutch or a cane.

The Anonymous terrified of trekking poles because they have a slightly pointed end must not have ridden a plane lately. They aren't big enough to swing or poke anyone with a staff or trekking pole. LOL

Plus, when was the last time anyone used a staff or trekking pole to successfully attack someone on a plane in the US? Go ahead. I'll wait.

not a bad list for camping gear but no mention of tent poles or stakes??? I assume the poles are okay since no sharp edges or points like fishing poles - unlike those trekking pole weapons! However, what about the stakes? most all are pointed to some degree, although no really sharp edges. So are they in the safe knitting needle category or are they in the weaponized trekking pole category???